European Lawmakers Are Pushing For a Formal Probe Into FIFA After Gianni Infantino’s Suspicious Phone Call With Donald Trump
The pressure is on.
European lawmakers are pushing for a formal probe into FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, after his suspicious phone call with President Donald Trump over a controversial red card decision. According to The Athletic, over 70 members of the European Parliament, or MEPs, have signed a letter urging the 27 heads of EU football associations to investigate the decision-making process behind the suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban.
The move comes after Trump personally intervened to have the ban lifted, raising serious questions about FIFA’s political neutrality and the integrity of its disciplinary system. The controversy started when Balogun was sent off in the U.S. team’s round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under normal FIFA rules, a red card means an automatic one-match suspension, which would have sidelined him for the round-of-16 game against Belgium.
But FIFA’s disciplinary committee suddenly suspended the ban, allowing Balogun to start in the U.S.’s 4-1 loss. Belgium appealed the decision, but FIFA dismissed it. Then, Trump confirmed he had called Infantino to demand the ban be reviewed, calling the red card a “great injustice.” Infantino defended himself by insisting FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent and make decisions based on regulations, not outside pressure.
This isn’t the first time Infantino’s relationship with Trump has drawn flak
Back in December 2025, Infantino awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, a move that 50 MEPs later called a breach of FIFA’s political neutrality rules. In their June 29 letter to FIFA, they demanded an ethics investigation into the award and Infantino’s repeated violations of FIFA’s duty to remain politically neutral. Now, with the Balogun case adding fuel to the fire, the pressure is mounting.
The latest letter from 72 MEPs argues that FIFA’s statutes and code of ethics clearly require political neutrality, and they’re urging football associations to hold Infantino accountable. Article 4(2) of FIFA’s statutes explicitly states that the organization must remain neutral in political matters, while Article 15 of the code of ethics mandates that football officials do the same.
The situation has spiraled beyond just FIFA. FairSquare, a non-profit focused on human rights and sports, announced it will file a complaint with the International Olympic Committee, or IOC, over Infantino’s alleged breaches of political neutrality. The IOC has its own strict rules about neutrality, and since Infantino is a member of its exclusive group of over 100 invited members, the committee has jurisdiction over his conduct.
IOC president Kirsty Coventry said the organization is aware of the controversy and would investigate if a formal complaint is filed. Coventry noted that the IOC has been watching the situation unfold, especially given the U.S.’s role as a co-host of the World Cup and the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The backlash isn’t just from lawmakers and advocacy groups
UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, released a statement calling FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s ban “incomprehensible” and said it “crossed a red line.” Former Wales captain and UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister warned that the precedent set by this case is dangerous. She said that allowing political leaders to influence disciplinary decisions could turn soccer into an “absolute cesspit.”
If leaders can pick up the phone and demand changes to on-field punishments, it undermines the entire system. McAllister’s concerns highlight how fragile FIFA’s independence really is, especially when high-profile figures like Trump are involved.
The lawmakers driving this push for an investigation aren’t holding back in their criticism. MEPs Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters, and Niels Fuglsang called FIFA’s decision to lift Balogun’s suspension a “disgrace” and a “perversion of justice.” In a joint statement, they accused Infantino and FIFA of surrendering to the Trump administration’s demands.
They’re not just focused on the Balogun case, either. They want a broader investigation into Infantino’s ties to Trump, including the FIFA Peace Prize and any other potential breaches of political neutrality. According to ESPN, so far, 35 of their colleagues have signed on to the letter, and they’re urging national football associations to demand an investigation from FIFA’s Ethics Committee.
FIFA has tried to distance itself from the controversy
It has insisted the decision to lift Balogun’s ban was made by its independent disciplinary committee. But the timing and the involvement of Trump make that claim hard to swallow. The lawmakers argue that the beauty of sports lies in its impartial and transparent rules, and when political pressure starts dictating who gets to play, that fairness disappears.
If FIFA’s own rules aren’t enough to keep its leadership in check, it’s up to member associations and governing bodies to step in. This isn’t just about one red card or one phone call. It’s about whether FIFA can be trusted to operate fairly and independently.
The European Parliament’s investigation could force FIFA to confront its own rules and the influence of powerful figures like Trump. If the IOC gets involved, Infantino could face even more scrutiny, especially since the committee has the power to enforce its neutrality principles.
(Featured image: The White House)
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